Device for setting and timing locomotive valves



. Dec; 26, 1939.

W. E. BELL 2,184,449

DEVICE FOR SETTING AND TIMING LOCOMOTIVE VALVES Filed May 14, 1938 3' J /Z J 7 J Inventbr 4 ttomey;

Patented Dec. 26, 1939.

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DEVICE FOR SETTING AND TIMING LOCOMOTIVE VALVES William E, Bell, Paducah, Ky., assignor of onehalf to Clarence C. Cummings, Paducah, Ky.

Application May 14, 1938, Serial No. 208,015

2 Claims.

This invention appertains to new and useful improvements in devices for the purpose of setting locomotive valves more accurately than is possible with present day equipment.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a square eliminating the use of wheel and cross head trams and affording four distinct centers with the end in view of compensating for all valve gear distortions or faulty layouts as well as the angularity of the main rod.

In the drawing:-

Figure 1 represents a longitudinal sectional view of the improved device.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the block hereinafter described, with a portion in section.

Figure 3 is an edge elevational view of the block.

I propose to properly locate the dead centers and setthe valves of a locomotive by means of an accurately made rectangular block, preferably constructed of tool steel, provided with means whereby it may be mounted upon the eccentric pin or other pin carried by and projecting from a locomotive drive wheel. I propose to so mount this block that it may be angularly adjusted with respect to the wheel, and to provide it with means for indicating when one or more of the side edges reach a level position. I also propose to provide means for clamping the block in adjusted position after it has been leveled.

Referring to the drawing in detail, 5 designates in its entirety a hollow arbor having at its left hand or inner end internal threads 9 adapted to engage the'threaded end of the locomotive drive wheel eccentric pin or the like. The inner end of the arbor is also preferably provided with an annular enlargement in in which are formed a series, of radial sockets ll adapted to receive a spanner wrench or the like by means of which the arbor may be secured to the pin.

6 designates the rectangular block above mentioned, this block being illustrated in Fig. 2 as of square form, and provided with a central circular opening 6 This opening is journaled for free rotation on a cylindrical bearing surface 5 formed on the intermediate portion of the arbor.

The outer end of the arbor is externally screwthreaded as indicated at IS in Fig. 1, and a nut I, preferably having an enlarged peripheral flange l5 at its outer end engages these threads and is adapted to hear at its inner end against the outer face of the block 6. At the inner end of the bearing surface .5 is an annular shoulder [4 against which the inner side of the block 6 bears.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that by loosening the nut I the block 6 may be freely rotated on the arbor so as to bring it to any desired angular position relative to the wheel, and that when it has been moved to the desired position, it may be clamped in such position by tightening the nut l, the block being gripped between the inner end of the nut and the shoulder M.

An essential part of the invention comprises the provision of means for indicating when one or more, side edges of the rectangular or square block have been adjusted accurately to a horizon tal or level position. As illustrated in the drawing, I preferably provide for this purpose a bubble glass or spirit level 12 mounted in a recess in one or more of the side edges of the block in a position parallel with such side edge, and held in the recess by means of a plate I1.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, I mount a spirit level of this character on two adjacent edges of the block, for a purpose as will hereinafter appear.

Since the side edges of the block are disposed at to each other, it will be obvious that, when the block is clamped to the wheel, as above described, one of such side edges will come to a horizontal position at every quarter revolution of the wheel. By this means it is possible to turn the wheel accurately, one quarter revolution at a time, and to note the location of the valve at each such position.

In locating dead centers, it is first necessary to move the main cross head to the first dead center, and set the block level. The nut must now be tightened and the engine wheel rotated until the next side edge of the block becomes level, and then continue rotating the wheel four quarters ahead and four back, marking the valve stem at respective positions, each time a side edge of the block becomes level, giving a dead-center.

In regard to a short cut-off, after changes have been made in the full travel, reverse lever is hooked up to the short cut-off and the engine moved until the first release point occurs whereupon the block is leveled at this point. Then rotate the wheel one-half revolution until the block is level again. Should the release occur at this point, the valve will be set square, and if it is not square, the valve should be changed one-half the difference from the release mark on'valve stem.

This setting also indicates the radius of the linlc design. Should the valve fail to release at one-half the revolution from the first release, the link radius should be changed to conform with the angularity of the main rod.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the claimed as new is:

1. A device of the character described comprising a hollow arbor adapted to rigidly engage a pin projecting from a Wheel, a rectangular block journaled for rotation on said arbor, means for indicating when said block has been rotated to bring one side edge to a level position, and means invention, what is carried by said arbor for clamping said block against rotation when desired.

2. A device of the character described comprising a hollow arbor having at one end internal threads adapted to engage a threaded pin rigidly carried by a wheel, said arbor having an external cylindrical bearing surface with an annular shoulder at one end thereof, a rectangular block journaled for rotation on said bearing surface, and a nut threaded on the other end of said arbor and adapted to clamp said block between itself and said shoulder.

WILLIAM E. BELL. 

